Ford Center renovations update

[metro]

The current I-40 isnt going to be removed until 2014 at the earliest, and that's if they stay on schedule. Look how many times it's been delayed.

[OKCisOK4me]

It'll be a few more years before the new highway opens IIRC.

Do not worry. I'm well aware of this. What does IIRC stand for anyway?

[OKCisOK4me]

As seen above, the Practice Facility is where millions were saved.

I see your point about it being cramped... is the proximity to the crosstown going to be a problem when it does come down? Is there a risk of causing damage to that brand new glass entrance?

That said, the proximity is actually a good thing as with traffic going by there every day, the visibility is there (esp if it has the multi-story NBA graphics). Once relocated a few blocks south, partially below grade, that advantage is gone).

This is why I believe the funds for a new boulevard should not be spent, but rather focused on vamping up Robinson Avenue from the new I-40 that will be further south.

[David]

Do not worry. I'm well aware of this. What does IIRC stand for anyway?

If I Remember Correctly.

[Thundercitizen]

From Mike Baldwin's Thunder chat today at NewsOK.com:

Quote:
[Comment From Edward: ]
Do you know anything about the Ford Center not closing for the Summer for remodeling? They started announcing concerts this Summer. I wonder if it has anything to do with the Thunder making the playoffs. Tuesday March 16, 2010 11:17 Edward

11:18 Mike Baldwin: Edward: It will NOT close this summer. We'll have a story in the paper on that Wednesday or Thursday.
Tuesday March 16, 2010 11:18 Mike Baldwin

11:19 Mike Baldwin: It has nothing to do with the thunder and the playoffs. Bottom line is they can make improvements inside the Ford Center without shutting it down. The new entryway project won't begin until this fall and won't affect the 2010-11 Thunder season or future concerts
Tuesday March 16, 2010 11:19 Mike Baldwin

11:19 Mike Baldwin: They will shut it down for a couple of months in 2011, in June and July for a new floor in the 100 concourse but it will be open this summer

[nighttrain12]

Ah thanks, that explains a lot. It's actually good news as I thought we would be without concerts for 6 straight months at Ford Center.

[Urbanized]

A new floor in the 100 concourse. Thank goodness. I have always felt like that was the most obvious weak link aesthetically in the building.

[Larry OKC]

The current I-40 isnt going to be removed until 2014 at the earliest, and that’s if they stay on schedule. Look how many times it’s been delayed.

Metro, do you have a link on that? Reportedly the new I-40 is still on (revised) schedule to open in 2012 and the Mayor said a couple of times he wanted the Park/Boulevard open by 2014 (obviously requires the old one to be torn down, design finalized, Boulevard funding secured etc). Given all of that it does seem unlikely they will be finished with it by 2014.

You are definitely correct about the relocation being behind schedule though

Crosstown Project Breaks Ground (11/22/05)

The I-40 Crosstown, estimated at $360 million, is expected to be complete in 2008 with construction of the new boulevard taking an additional two years. The timetable could be affected by availability of funding.

Could be affected? ROFLMAO

By August of 2009, the cost had risen to $600M (the tear down of the old and Boulevard cost had been removed and became separate projects, another $180M, mol) with a completion date of 2012.

[Kerry]

You are definitely correct about the relocation being behind schedule though

Crosstown Project Breaks Ground (11/22/05)



Could be affected? ROFLMAO

By August of 2009, the cost had risen to $600M (the tear down of the old and Boulevard cost had been removed and became separate projects, another $180M, mol) with a completion date of 2012.

Give credit where credit is due - Tom Elmore and other I-40 haters are partly responsible for the delay and cost over runs. How many lawsuits and complaints were filed to stop I-40 before it went through the abandoned yard at Union Station? There were also environmental issues that came up (a sludge pit).

[metro]

Metro, do you have a link on that? Reportedly the new I-40 is still on (revised) schedule to open in 2012 and the Mayor said a couple of times he wanted the Park/Boulevard open by 2014 (obviously requires the old one to be torn down, design finalized, Boulevard funding secured etc). Given all of that it does seem unlikely they will be finished with it by 2014.

You are definitely correct about the relocation being behind schedule though

Crosstown Project Breaks Ground (11/22/05)



Could be affected? ROFLMAO

By August of 2009, the cost had risen to $600M (the tear down of the old and Boulevard cost had been removed and became separate projects, another $180M, mol) with a completion date of 2012.

Larry, I'm trying to find the link. The article was posted on here recently. I did however find this link to a Gazette article from last Oct. that states it won't start demolition until 2013. If/when I find the more recent articles stating 2014 I'll post it. I looked on Forward I40 website, and of course they are vague as possible.

Boulevard planned to replace Crosstown bridge, but its design, funding are uncertain | OKG Scene.com

[metro]

If I Remember Correctly.

or about 20 other things..

IIRC - Definition by AcronymFinder

[David]

or about 20 other things..

IIRC - Definition by AcronymFinder

That may be true, but in the context of its use in this thread I'd say my explanation was fairly accurate.

[metro]

sure, but by internet slang it could also mean If I Really Cared, Isn't It Really Cool, If I Read Correctly......

[David]

In my experience the most common usage has been the definition I gave. Maybe we should ask SkyWestOKC which he meant?

[Larry OKC]

Thanks Metro, just hadn't seen anything different than the 2012 completion date and the mayors 2014 statements

[SkyWestOKC]

Let me start over:

It'll be a few more years before the new highway opens, if I remember correctly.

By looking at the time stamp, it looks like I may have been about to leave for work, which is why I used abbreviations.

Better?

[Matt]

Let me start over:

It'll be a few more years before the new highway opens, if I remember correctly.

By looking at the time stamp, it looks like I may have been about to leave for work, which is why I used abbreviations.

Better?

I'm so glad that you clarified this. I was reading your original post as "it'll be a few more years before the new highway opens, Interactive Illinois Report Card" and was confused as all get out as to what in the world that was supposed to mean. But this makes a little more sense now. Thanks.

[Larry OKC]

From Mike Baldwin's Thunder chat today at NewsOK.com:

Quote:
[Comment From Edward: ]
Do you know anything about the Ford Center not closing for the Summer for remodeling? They started announcing concerts this Summer. I wonder if it has anything to do with the Thunder making the playoffs. Tuesday March 16, 2010 11:17 Edward

11:18 Mike Baldwin: Edward: It will NOT close this summer. We'll have a story in the paper on that Wednesday or Thursday.
Tuesday March 16, 2010 11:18 Mike Baldwin

11:19 Mike Baldwin: It has nothing to do with the thunder and the playoffs. Bottom line is they can make improvements inside the Ford Center without shutting it down. The new entryway project won't begin until this fall and won't affect the 2010-11 Thunder season or future concerts
Tuesday March 16, 2010 11:19 Mike Baldwin

11:19 Mike Baldwin: They will shut it down for a couple of months in 2011, in June and July for a new floor in the 100 concourse but it will be open this summer

Don't know if this is the Story he was referring too, but this appeared in Wed's Oklahoman:

NewsOK

No mention about delay in last phase getting completed really, just they are re-evaluating things.

[bombermwc]

I'm extremely dissapointed in the fact that they are removing the warm-up court because of the budget shortfall. It's about as short-sighted as you can get. Having another court like that available makes things a lot more flexible for the facility...it's a facility that would allow for greater flexbility for the Ford Center. Think about how most schools have two gyms...there's a reason for that. And it takes up so little space, I just don't understand WHY they think it should cost 6 million either.

I'd much rather give us some aesthetic items for now and be able to add them back in later. You can just plop in a warmup court in the middle of the floorplan later...and 6 million in savings by not having the court....I'm just not buying that.

[metro]

I agree bombermwc, at least build the SPACE where the warmup court can go, so they can throw down the hardwood, goals, and the $5 million in diamond crusted warm up benches and 500 flat panel TV's for the practice court later.

I never knew they took the outdoor screen out of the plan (they didn't conveniently mention that that I'm aware of), although glad to see it "put back in".

In particular, a big screen will now be included on the Ford Center’s exterior.

Read more: http://www.newsok.com/ford-center-pr...#ixzz0iXDIoTYr

[Larry OKC]

Metro, while no official announcement, in another thread (or maybe it was this one), I think Doug posted pics of the various renderings and IIRC the one they used in the season ticket packs was without the screen. That screen sure makes a huge difference on the appearance of that entrance.

Will have to check out the powerpoint presentation but I think the warmup court was in the added sf that was part of phase 3. As you suggest, it would seem they would build the space for the court and just put it in later (unless they have already reconfigured the space for another purpose).

[HOT ROD]

I agree, why couldn;'t the city go ahead and build out the space now, but shell in the actual facilities later once conditions improve and the Thunder really brings in additional/marginal revenue (which surely they will now that the team is playoff calibre so quickly). ....

Maybe this is something that can be voiced. While I agree, maybe we wouldn't want to fully build out the practice courts and other things on the "chopping block" and we definitely want to keep the flash and wow factor amenities now, but couldn't we go ahead and build the space but keep it empty until funding allows the space to be fully built?

I also agree, I find it hard to believe that a practice court costs $6M (especially considering the practice facility costs $10M and surely is much larger).

by the way guys, Im in China now and the CCTV news here just broke about the OKC-Charlotte game. Yes, it was mostly about Michael Jordan and the Thunder did lose, but the Chinese news/sports did PROMINENTLY advertise OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER and of course talk about Kevin Durant and other rising stars; and nothing of Charlotte's players/team other than Jordan.

OKC getting WORLD WIDE RECOGNITION, I can confirm this!!!

[Larry OKC]

I know I am going to get flamed for even making the suggestion, but how about the Thunder actually paying for the warm up court etc? They are doing just fine financially. They easily beat what was self-described as "conservative" estimates of $9M profit (based on sold tickets of 14,000+) by their own consultants (and with the playoffs being a distinct possibility, that just adds more to it).

[HOT ROD]

Im ok with that Larry.

I think it would be a GREAT show of thanks and committment to the city if the team or owners did this. again, it is "only" $6M.

Great way for the team to give back a little bit and surely might ensure completely filling up the seats regardless of wins for the forseeable future/forever. ....

[Larry OKC]

City of Oklahoma City | Public Information & Marketing
Select "Ford Center Improvements Presentation to City Council (PDF)" from the list on the left

Shows the Practice Court as part of the building expansion (above the loading docks) on the Concourse Level (pg 16 of PDF). The Mezzanine & Suite Levels are open to the court below (pgs 23 & 30).

On the Upper Concourse Level, the Family "Fun Zone" is over the court (pg 25)